10 best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada
We compared the fees and features of over 15 brokers to find the 10 best stock trading apps for Canadian investors.
Choosing the right stock trading platform is crucial for any investor. The best stock trading platforms are quick and easy to use, have low or no fees and have all the features you need to trade with confidence. But the best platform for you will vary depending on factors such as what you want to trade, how often and whether you’re a beginner or experienced investor.
To help you compare your options, we’ve crunched the numbers to pick the ten best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada.
- Access to international stock exchanges
- Low margin rates
- Powerful research tools
Finder’s best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2023
- Interactive Brokers – Best overall stock trading platform and app
- Wealthsimple – Best for trading Canadian stocks
- RBC Direct Investing – Best for trading features
- Scotia iTRADE – Best for commodity trading
- CIBC Investor’s Edge – Best trading platform for beginner traders
- National Bank Direct Brokerage – Best trading platform by a big bank
- Questrade – Best trading platform for low cost with perks
- Qtrade Direct Investing – Best for a well-rounded trading experience
- BMO Investorline – Best platform for an easy-to-use interface
- MogoTrade – Best new trading app
Methodology: How we chose Canada’s best stock trading platforms
Our first five picks are based on the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022. To choose the winners, our data team assessed 630 data points across 18 brokers to find the best trading platforms for Canadian investors. The remaining five picks are based on other available options in the Canadian market that offer features and platforms that warrant adding them to the best list.
In the Best Mobile Trading App category, we considered the following factors:
- App features, such as real-time quotes, research tools, user-friendliness and app store ratings
- Fees for using the app, including brokerage, deposit, withdrawal, currency conversion, account and inactivity fees
- The securities available to trade and the order types offered
Read more about how we made our selections in our full methodology.
1. Interactive Brokers – Best overall trading platform and app
Interactive Brokers
Finder score: 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
The fact that Interactive Brokers promises to take your investing to the next level signals the type of investors the platform wants to attract. In short, it is well suited to those with plenty of experience in online trading and with plenty of money to trade. It offers access to stock markets in 33 different countries and 68 different order types, including stocks, options, currencies and bonds – far more than other brokerage platforms we looked at.
Interactive Brokers has a tiered pricing structure when it comes to commissions. Basically, the more you trade the cheaper it becomes. There is a minimum commission of $1 per trade and a maximum of 0.5% of the total trade value. The Interactive Brokers web portal has a detailed educational section, with webinars, videos and even a Traders' Academy. It also offers analytical tools to help you make better trading decisions. The offering is so detailed it may be daunting for beginners. Interactive Brokers even lets you borrow money to buy shares, something a beginning investor should be very wary about doing.
Interactive Brokers was the winner of the Overall, US Stocks, International Stock Trading, Day Trading, Long-term Investor, Low-cost Broker and Mobile Trading App awards in the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022.
Stock Trading Fee | Max. 0.5% |
---|---|
Account Fee | $0 |
FX Fee | 0.2 bps trade value, min $2.00 |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
Interactive Brokers app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 4.6/5 stars based on over 10,600 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 4/5 stars based on over 3,200 reviews |
2. Wealthsimple – Best for trading Canadian stocks
Wealthsimple
Finder score: 3.7 / 5 ★★★★★
Wealthsimple is all about low fees. It does not charge any commissions on trades. And you can make as many trades as you like, free of charge. There are no annual fees or account minimums. It is one of the lowest-cost trading options available to Canadian investors. Wealthsimple stacks up favourably against the other platforms we looked at when it comes to educational resources and tools, with various savings calculators, articles and investor masterclass videos to teach you the basics.
If there is a catch, it's that you are limited in the types of securities you can trade, as Wealthsimple offers mostly stocks and ETFs. You can open a non-registered account, RRSP or TFSA. There is a mobile and web platform, and the application received some of the highest user ratings among platforms we looked at.
Wealthsimple was the winner of the Beginners and Canadian Stocks awards in the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022.
Stock Trading Fee | $0 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $0 |
FX Fee | 1.50% |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
Wealthsimple app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 4.5/5 stars based on over 75,000 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 4.6/5 stars based on over 120,000 reviews |
3. RBC Direct Investing – Best trading features
RBC Direct Investing
Finder score: 3.8 / 5 ★★★★★
Trade the way you want with RBC Direct Investing, which offers a robust online investing platform, trading dashboard and mobile app. Get real-time quotes for stocks and ETFs, including Level 2 quotes for stocks and ETFs trading on the TSX and TSXV. Use RBC's powerful screener powered by Refinitiv to filter securities based on performance, Morningstar rating or any other criteria you set.
Active traders save on commissions, and margin trading is available with competitive interest rates. Not every platform offers a demo account for you to practice trading without using real money, but RBC Direct Investing does. Plus, you can easily view all your RBC account balances and transfer funds to and from your investment account with a single sign-on.
RBC Direct Investing was the winner of the Trading Features award in the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards 2022.
Stock Trading Fee | $9.95 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $100 |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
RBC Mobile app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 2.9/5 stars based on over 37,000 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 4.8/5 stars based on over 200,000 reviews |
4. Scotia iTRADE – Best platform for commodity trading
Scotia iTRADE
Finder score: 4.2 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $4.99–$9.99 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $0 |
FX Fee | Varies |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
Scotia iTRADE app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 4/5 stars based on over 469,000 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 4.2/5 stars based on over 4.1 million reviews |
5. CIBC Investor’s Edge – Best trading platform for beginner traders
CIBC Investor's Edge
Finder score: 3.8 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $4.95–$6.95 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $100 |
FX Fee | Varies |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
CIBC Investor’s Edge app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 3.4/5 stars based on over 4,500 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 3.6/5 stars based on over 5,100 reviews |
6. National Bank Direct Brokerage – Best trading platform by a big bank
National Bank Direct Brokerage
Finder score: 4.2 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $0 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $100 |
FX Fee | Varies |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
National Bank Direct Brokerage app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | No reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 3.9/5 stars based on over 170 reviews |
7. Questrade – Best trading platform for low cost with perks
Questrade
Finder score: 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $4.95-$9.95 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $0 |
FX Fee | 1.45% |
Min. Deposit | $1,000 |
Questrade app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 2.1/5 stars based on over 2,700 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 1.3/5 stars based on over 60 reviews |
8. Qtrade Direct Investing – Best for a well-rounded trading experience
Qtrade Direct Investing
Finder score: 3.7 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $6.95 - $8.75 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $0 - $25 |
FX Fee | 0.90% for positions under $9,999.00 |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
Qtrade Direct app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | No reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 1.8/5 stars based on over 20 reviews |
9. BMO Investorline – Best platform for an easy-to-use interface
BMO InvestorLine
Finder score: 3.9 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $9.95 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $100 |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
BMO Investorline app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | 4.1/5 stars based on over 750 reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 4.4/5 stars based on over 2,000 reviews |
10. MogoTrade – Best new trading app
MogoTrade
Finder score: 3.9 / 5 ★★★★★
Stock Trading Fee | $0 |
---|---|
Account Fee | $0 |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
MogoTrade app store reviews
Google Play app reviews | No reviews |
Apple App Store app reviews | 4.4/5 stars based on over 900 reviews |
How to choose the best stock trading app
The best trading app for you might not be the same as the best choice for someone else. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, you will have your own unique requirements from a trading app. That’s why it’s important to consider the following factors when comparing your options.
Brokerage fees
Some brokers don’t charge any commissions on Canadian stock and ETF trades, but others charge a flat fee of typically $5–$10 per trade. Others charge a fee based on the number of stocks you buy, for example $0.01 per share, so work out how much it’ll cost you to invest.
Other fees
There are a few other fees that may apply, so check the fine print for any:
- Subscription fees to access features such as market news, real-time data and expert analysis.
- Inactivity fees if you don’t make any trades for a specified period of time.
- Minimum balance fees if your account balance is less than a specified minimum
- Currency conversion fees if you trade on foreign markets
Ease of use
The best stock trading apps are easy to use right from the moment you sign up. A user-friendly interface is particularly important if you’re a novice investor, so search for an app that offers a simple and intuitive experience. Reading reviews from other users is a great way to work out whether an app is easy to use straight away.
Market access
Do you only want to trade Canadian stocks and ETFs or do you want to invest in US, European, Asian and emerging markets? If you want to trade international stocks, be aware that not all brokers provide access to foreign stock exchanges. Check the list of exchanges you can access and what fees apply to overseas trade.
Tradable assets
Check which securities you can trade from each broker’s app, such as:
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Options
- Bonds
- Futures
- Mutual funds
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
Research and analysis
Find out what sort of research and analysis you can access through the app. For example, you may be able to access in-depth market analysis from the broker’s in-house team or a third-party service, plus be kept up to date with the latest market news.
Minimum investment amount
Check whether the broker has a minimum account balance requirement. Some providers don’t have any minimum limits, but others will charge a monthly fee if your balance is less than a specified amount.
Customer support
If you ever have a problem with a trade or a question about your account, how can you get in touch with your broker’s customer support team? Check the contact methods available and the hours during which the support team is available. An online help center with answers to a range of FAQs is also a useful resource.
Other features
Put together a list of any other key features you want in a trading app, such as:
- Advanced charting tools and technical indicators.
- Stock screeners that allow you to narrow down your potential investments.
- Automated investing with a robo-advisor.
- Social trading that allows you to see and copy other people’s trades.
- Educational resources to help you learn about trading and how to use all of the app’s features
Other platforms
If you’ll also be placing trades through your broker’s web-based or desktop platform, check out whether those platforms are user-friendly and offer all the key features you need. If there’s a free demo account available, use it to put a platform through its paces with virtual rather than real money.
Is it regulated?
Make sure you only consider brokers that are regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), and that the funds you deposit will be covered under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
All of our picks for the best trading app are regulated by IIROC and CIPF, meaning if they go under, your money will be protected up to specified amounts. Some providers also offer 2-factor authentication and high-level encryption of data to keep your account safe.
User reviews
Head to the app store for your smartphone and read reviews from other users. You can also explore customer feedback in places like the Better Business Bureau and Reddit to find out what investors really think about the platform and what issues they run into. Are they happy with the app? Are there any major problems repeatedly mentioned in reviews? Is there a common theme about how the app could be improved?
How to pick the best stock trading platform
The best trading platforms are the ones that offer a combination of low fees, numerous investment options, a modern trading platform and plentiful resources that help you learn and grow as a trader. But at the end of the day, personal preference matters too.
— Matt Miczulski, Editor, Investments
Which is the best free stock trading app in Canada?
Most stock trading apps are free to download, while it’s also free to sign up for an account. But there are fees you need to be aware of when you trade.
The most common fee is the broker’s commission. While some brokers charge $0 commissions on certain assets, many charge a flat fee per trade. And even if an app does advertise fee-free trading, this will typically only apply to a limited selection of assets (such as Canadian stocks and ETFs).
There are other fees to be aware of too. Many (but not all) brokers charge a monthly fee if your account balance doesn’t exceed a minimum limit, while fees and currency conversion costs may apply if you trade foreign stocks and ETFs.
That’s why even if a broker says it offers “$0 commissions” or “no fees”, it’s always important to check the fine print. Compare a range of apps to find the best free stock trading app for you.
What are the pros and cons of stock trading apps?
Before you download a stock trading app and sign up for an account, make sure you’re aware of the benefits and drawbacks of trading through an app:
Pros
- User-friendly. The best stock trading apps in Canada provide a streamlined user experience, making it simple to start building your investment portfolio.
- Convenient. Stock trading apps make Canadian and global markets more accessible than ever before. You can buy and sell stocks with just a few taps, and make adjustments to your portfolio on the go.
- Feature-packed. The best stock trading apps let you do more than just buy and sell stocks. They make it easy to track the performance of your portfolio, stay up to date with the latest market news and research potential investment opportunities.
- Low minimum investment. With many brokers supporting fractional share trading, you don’t necessarily need a big savings balance to start trading.
Cons
- You need to understand the risks involved. The best stock trading apps make it quick and easy to invest in the stock market, so you need to take care not to fall into the trap of buying and selling on impulse. Make sure you research any potential investment carefully and understand the risks involved before you trade.
- Lack of advanced features. If you’re an experienced investor searching for advanced charting and technical analysis tools, you may prefer to trade using a desktop or web-based platform.
- Limited choice on some apps. Some trading apps only provide access to a limited range of tradable assets.
Canadians consider stocks a smart investment option in 2023
According to results from the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q1 (CSTQ1), more than a third (36.18%) of Canadians considered equities to be a smart investment in the first quarter of 2023. This dropped only slightly in the second quarter of 2023 to 27%, according to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q2 (CSTQ2).
Men preferred stocks as an investment option, with 41% considered Q1 2023 a “good time to invest in stocks,” compared to 32% of female investors.(1)
Age also had an impact on an investor’s confidence in stocks as an investment opportunity. The youngest generation, Gen Z (investors up to the age of 24) had the most confidence in stocks as a good investment opportunity in the first quarter of 2023 with 53% believing “now is a good time to invest in stocks,” compared to 42% of millennials, 31% of Gen X and 19% of baby boomers.
In general, almost a third of Canadians investors (31%) held stocks outside of their registered accounts, such a retirement savings fund (RRSP) or Tax-Free Savings Fund Account (TFSA) and almost three quarters (72%) bought or sold stock through an online stock platform or app. This seems logical, given that 29% of respondents in the CSTQ2 stated they had never worked with and had no plans to use the services of a financial advisor.(2)
Bottom line
There are many things to consider when choosing a stock trading platform or app to buy and sell stocks and other securities. The right trading platform for you will match your needs, so if on-the-go trading is your number 1 concern, you’ll probably end up choosing a different app to someone who wants to focus on commodity trading.
The key thing to remember is to do your research and compare a range of trading platforms first. Start with our range of trading platform reviews to get an idea of what’s available in Canada and the key features you need to consider.
Frequently asked questions
- Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q1 (CSTQ1)
- Finder: Consumer Sentiment Tracker Q2 (CSTQ2)
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